So as I’ve realized that AMD and/or Framework have effectively left the Framework 16 to fend for itself (no dGPU this generation and lack of updates respectively), I want to know what I can do to extend the lifetime of my less than a year old laptop. I’m looking primarily into eGPUs, since the RX 9060 XT 16GB is coming down in price and would probably serve me well for a good while, since I mostly only care about indie titles. (The only AAA title I care about that is coming out soon is Super Robot Wars Y, and I think the Radeon 780M should be more than good enough for that.)
Anyway, I’m currently considering OcuLink, which would have the advantage of allowing me to unlock the RX 9060 XT’s full power with relatively low financial overhead on top of the RX 9060 XT, at the cost of being kind of inconvenient in general. The best solution I have seen so far would involve a 3D printer, which I currently don’t have access to. If there is a solution to that last one, I would be happy to give doing OcuLink a shot, since screwing up would only cost me $35.
Also, if the Framework team is reading this, please just tell us what’s in the works for the Framework 16. I don’t care if you would get sniped by your competitors, I would just like to know what you are planning for this computer.
(I don’t really care about the CPU, as I was living off of a Macbook Pro 16 until early last year. The 7840HS is significantly faster even at its worst.)
EDIT: Also, this isn’t terribly urgent. The games I’m planning to run with this laptop are the aforementioned AAA game and DOOM, both of which can run under the 780M.
where several (including me) were able to get an eGPU with OcuLink to work. Personally I am happy with what I am using … but it did cost quite a bit more than $35.
you can see my post here if you are interested
Once you have the GPU that you want to use, i would recommend you check out a Thunderbolt 3 eGPU box. Specifically if you have the ability to borrow one from somebody or order and then return if you don’t like it.
I tried OcuLink, but ended up using Thunderbolt because it’s giving me enough performance while being much more convenient to use as I frequently move the laptop between work desk, eGPU plugged into the TV and just loose in the apartment.
I struggle to recommend a good model for the eGPU. I think, Akitio Node Pro (and later models like Node Titan, and even later Owc Node Titan) is good, and various flavors of Razer Core are OK. When checking the box out, load the GPU to full and let it heat up the box and PSU so that you can evaluate the loudness of the PSU and other fans in the system and whether the eGPU can effectively remove hot air to avoid the thermal throttling of the GPU.
Other than eGPU, couple other thoughts on longevity:
you can set the battery charge threshold in BIOS to 80% to make sure the battery doesn’t wear out as quickly. Especially useful if you keep the laptop plugged in 99% of the time. Though, it may be moot as a replacement battery is (supposed to be) readily available.
make sure you have PTM thermal interface material on your CPU cooler instead of the liquid metal so that your performance doesn’t degarde because of the liquid metal pump-out.
Framework has said repeatedly that they have no forgotten about the Framework 16 and it is also well known that Framework doesn’t talk about anything until it is ready.
That said, one of the best things you can to improve longevity is to run your 16 as cool ad possible. Since the ECs are accessible on Windows and Linux, thanks to Framework and @DHowett’s efforts you can make it so that your fan curve is far more aggressive. Running a cooler machine all around is the best suggestion I can give, besides handling the 16 with care, etc.
Actions speak louder than words however. Framework’s actions speak to them having abandoned the 16 and are just paying lip service to avoid the negative press that admitting it would bring. The fact that there’s several critical firmware bugs that are well documented and have been for the better part of a year now with no word of a fix from Framework let alone any BIOS updates is really rather telling.
It is possible that the ball has been dropped here, but in my experience I am far more willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. A lot of times they are dependent on 3rd parties to fix bugs or improve firmware. It is a joint effort, and if the urgency of the effort is not shared by all it can lead to delays. Framework exposing these problems or slowing down the launch of other products would be foolish and completely unnecessary.
Many of Framework’s customers have purchased Framework 16s. I really don’t think they are abandoning such a promising and innovative platform. They put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into it.
I know that being patience is difficult especially when a bug or issue is plaguing you. I’m just saying that in my experience Framework is really trying to magnify all of their products.
There has, however:
The last update was nearly a year ago. Several critical bugs, which were known about at the time of release of the last update, remain unfixed. (One example being issues with stuttering/throttling when using many chargers) with no word from Framework when this will be fixed. Some community members have done some in-depth investigating into that issue, and have found the fix to be relatively easy however Framework are realistically the only people who can get the fixes out as otherwise you’d be stuck with several very risky options to flash the firmware.
3.04 was broken when release in July 2024, Framework took till November 2024 to have the next version which had many of the same known issues, but deemed good enough to go out of beta. Quite a lot of time, and that’s given that they were probably especially motivated by the fact that the dual-M.2 board release was held up by this BIOS update.